Dana-Farber to present more than 30 research studies at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021

Presentations will include a plenary talk by 2019 Nobel Laureate, William G. Kaelin, Jr., MD

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers will present more than 30 research studies during Week 1 of the virtual American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2021, taking place from April 10-15. AACR is the world’s first and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and its mission to prevent and cure cancer. The AACR Annual Meeting attracted more than 74,000 attendees for the 2020 virtual meetings and more than 22,500 attendees for past in-person meetings.

Notable presentations by Dana-Farber experts include:

Title: Mechanisms of acquired resistance to KRAS G12C inhibition in cancer

Abstract: LB002

Presenter: Mark Awad, MD, PhD

Session Time: April 10, 2:20-2:30 p.m. EST

Title: Association of aneuploidy score with clinical outcomes to immunotherapy in NSCLC^*

Abstract: 26

Presenter: João Alessi, MD

Session Time: April 10, 2:35-2:45 p.m. EST 

Title: Treatment-induced embryonic diapause-like adaptation through suppression of Myc activity as mediator of drug persistence in cancer

Abstract: 42

Presenter: Eugen Dhimolea, PhD

Session Time: April 10, 3:05-3:15 p.m. EST

Title: PATHFINDER: Interim analysis of avapritinib (ava) in patients (pts) with advanced systemic mastocytosis (AdvSM)

Abstract: CT023

Presenter: Daniel DeAngelo, MD, PhD

Session Time: April 11, 2:05-2:15 p.m. EST

Title: (Re)emerging principles of cancer therapy

Abstract: PL03-02

Presenter: William G. Kaelin Jr., MD

Session Time: April 13, 11:17-11:39 a.m. EST

Summary: Kaelin will highlight the important physiologic constraints a cancer tissue must operate within, focusing on the critical role hypoxia plays in not only tumor growth but progression, and how modulating the hypoxia machinery will limit tumor progression. The ability to target cancer at several molecular levels provides hope that our therapies will not only be more effective but also more durable. The lingering question is how to deploy these approaches by identifying which patients are most likely to benefit.

In addition to the exciting research presentations, Andrew Aguirre, MD, PhD, of the Dana-Farber Center for Gastrointestinal Oncology, has been named a 2021 AACR NextGen Star. Aguirre will present during the NextGen Stars Spotlight Session: Genetics and Epigenetics. 

Furthermore, Sarah Hill, MD, PhD, of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology in the Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers has received the 2021 Cancer Research Early Career Award for her significant contributions in ovarian cancer research.

For all AACR-related media inquiries, call or email Claire Monaghan, 240-678-6494, claire_monaghan@dfci.harvard.edu. Follow the meeting live on X, formerly known as Twitter, using the hashtag #AACR21 and follow Dana-Farber on X at @DanaFarberNews.

^*Denotes study selected for the press program